TechConnect Innovation Spotlight: Luminescent Water Soluble Carbon Quantum Dots for Bio-imaging and Target Drug Delivery

June 04, 2014 01:35 PM EST By: Regina Ramazzini

Cromoz Inc. a TechConnect World 2013 National & Global Innovation Awardee, Washington DC

Cromoz Inc., is an advanced nano materials innovator and manufacturer. They are focused on the development of carbon nanotechnology enabled products primarily for the biomedical industry. These innovative products are based on two proprietary technologies: water-soluble carbon nanotubes and water-soluble fluorescent carbon quantum dots. The Company is currently working with a medical research institution in conducting toxicity studies.

The company was selected to present at the TechConnect National Innovation Summit in May 2013. TechConnect News followed up and had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Afreen Allam, CEO at Cromoz. We asked her to describe their carbon dots and some of their advantages. She told us: “The spherical dots make it easy to conjugate any drugs or antibodies that are already available on the market. Essentially, we want to use them as an alternative to chemotherapy, where you can selectively target a specific organ.“  The company’s primary goal is the development of a drug delivery system that is safer, more economically sound and able to overcome the side effects of standard cancer treatments.

We asked Ms. Allam to tell us of company updates since the conference, and she said: “ We recently discovered that our technology can also cross the blood brain barrier and has entered both brain cells as well as neurons. Many of the drugs on the market are not able to cross the barrier, and treating brain cancers and neurodegenerative brain disorders, such as “Alzheimer’s” becomes very difficult. We need to repeatedly prove and test out compounds, which cannot currently be used due to their size, or to the fact that they cannot penetrate the barrier.“ This finding could open up new avenues and applications for Cromoz.

Cromoz is currently seeking grants to help fund animal studies for their targeted drug delivery system, as well as seeking licensing opportunities for their bio-imaging tools. Cromoz is ready for potential customers who would be interested in drug encapsulation services in their CDots as well.

You may reach Afreen Allam at aallam@cromoz.com or at 919-522-1390. Please visit the company’s website at: www.cromoz.com

 

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